Divers located the remains of some missing American sailors in flooded compartments of the USS John S. McCain, a Navy destroyer that collided with an oil tanker in the Strait of Malacca on Monday.
Adm. Scott H. Swift, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, said Tuesday that the Malaysian Navy also located “potential remains” of another missing McCain sailor while searching the waters east of the Strait. The Malaysian Navy, along with ships and aircraft from five nations, is assisting with the search effort for 10 sailors who were listed as missing after the incident.
In remarks to reporters in Singapore, Swift said the search is continuing for the remaining sailors, and he declined to say how many sailors had been found on the ship.
The destroyer collided with the oil tanker in waters claimed by Malaysia and Singapore, and those two countries said they were leading the search effort at sea.
“While the search and rescue efforts continue, I sincerely thank our Singapore partners, our Malaysian partners and everyone who has responded with urgency, compassion and tireless commitment,” Swift said.
The McCain is moored at Changi Naval Base in Singapore.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson ordered an “operational pause” following the collision, which is the fourth major accident this year involving the Navy in the Pacific Fleet.
The move was backed by top Republicans, including Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Rep. Mac Thornberry of Texas, who chair the Armed Services Committees in their respective chambers.
